The Stargazing Witch & The Dungeon Planet
Chapter 15: Crisis

Chapter 15: Crisis

Trying to stand up, Mella crawled her way up the damaged wall. Despite the deafening ringing in her ears, Mella yelled out, “Elka, Sam, Mike, Irene!” Hoping for a response.

Trying to stand up, Mella crawled her way up the damaged wall. Despite the deafening ringing in her ears, Mella yelled out, “Elka, Sam, Mike, Irene!” Hoping for a response.

“Everyone, are you okay?!”

But no one answered. So instead she refocused and tried getting a grasp on her surroundings.

Fire was burning, people were either running or dying. Then on the concert stage, everyone but two members of the Blazers band were knocked-out or dead–she couldn’t tell at this distance. But the two remaining members were fighting off hooded figures.

Aluber was blasting large waves of sound with his literal axe guitar, they were always aimed up so as not to hit the surviving audience members. 

As the spreading flames got closer to her.

“Mella!” She heard Irene’s voice and looked in the direction it was coming from. Mella saw Elka jumping and waving her hands and screamed “Over here!”

Good. They are still on the second floor.

They stood near the exit, realistically they should all have left but Mella blamed herself. They probably tried to find her.

The wall beside her started to collapse. She tried to run but yelled “Leave without m–”

Understanding on a basic level she wasn’t fast enough–still she tried to escape. Then the entire wall fell, engulfed in flames, and the damage caused the second floor to collapse further, reaching her friends.

She could hear the fading screams of her friends.

“Noooo!”

“Melly!”

“Don’t stop me, Elka!”

“*Crying* I don’t want to!”

This time everything didn’t fade completely, but she couldn’t move. The debris prevented her from moving, she lost all feeling in her left limbs and grew scared as the heat of the fire increased, indicating it was spreading closer to her.

An inaudible cry tried escaping from the rocks, “Mumma, Elly, Ty.”

“–[Incinerate]!!” I turned the bastard's corpse into ash. This was their fault! And I would kill each and every one of them. 

My first time killing a human. Didn’t feel much different than killing a monster. Wasn’t sure if that was due to it being a Dominous Hood member, or I’d lost my regard for human life. Honestly, at the moment, I didn’t care.

Killing the first target, I switched to the second. For groups of smaller enemies, it was better to stay close. I didn’t want to waste mana due to them dodging. 

The target shook for a moment, yelling out their friend's name “Liam!” before rushing at me.

I released a wave of soul pressure onto the bug. Which didn’t do anything. Meaning either they were at a higher level or the equipment protected them–I expected it to be the latter. Many pieces of equipment naturally protected people from the effects of soul pressure, recent example was the material the mechs I saw on the moon were made from.

Launching a fire arrow at a lightning-fast speed. The Hood member barely dodge out of the way, then with my greater speed, I reached their side just after the arrow flew past.

“[Incinerate].”

BUSHH!

A scorching wave of fire erupted from my palm engulfing every spec of the fool.

[Incinerate] was a simple skill. An extremely hot wave of fire released from a part of the body, only lasting for two seconds and covering a maximum distance of a metre it was a good close-range weapon.

I could hear the movement of the rest of the Hood members jumping across the roofs.

More are coming. Good. Probably activated a tracker on death.

Soon six more figures. Two of them speaking into their hoods.

“Liam, Gabriel deceased.” 

“Hostile figure spotted, calling for backup.”

There are enough people available that they can provide backup, while there are still people within the mall.

I could handle these six human individuals as long as they aren’t around my level. I was still multitasking, using [Star Mapping] to find Mella, but still, I was confident.

True I could blast them all away with strong fire magic skills–taking out the whole area with them–but I didn’t want to kill innocents–if I didn’t have to.

“[Solar Bomb]”

I threw six weak bombs aimed at each. Speed slow enough that they could dodge with effort if they were at least level 150.

As the six orbs flew, I quickly charged my next attack. Three were able to dodge but the others got hit but were only pushed a metre back. But the short ranged bright light from the explosion blinded them for a moment.

[Scorched Nova]. From me, as the centre, a dome of fire spread out. I used an extra chunk of mana to accelerate the casting of this skill, while [Solar Bomb] provided a distraction.

Surprise round over.

After that wave of attacks was done, the remaining three kept their distance. Firing their guns at me. I jumped from building to building, dodging the fire as I prepared my counter.

Then from behind me, a lady spoke, “Hello, Ceella.” Wasn’t someone I recognised and from the noise they were 20 metres behind me–on a different rooftop.

Is this their backup?

“Analyse skill, so what?” I turned and rushed forward, using [Burst] continuously for speed.

“What an interesting set of skills you have? Such a high level as well, thought every hunter would be out today.”

The hood and cloak are useful. Makes it hard to see exactly what they’re wearing. From killing and maiming a couple, they ain’t wearing anything too good. But this chick seems to have a bit more underneath. A higher position perhaps?

“Too many people, not my style.”

Fuck, she can see my skills, which means while not certain it's likely she can see my mana and starlight reserves.

The boss lady nodded, then said “Can I ask a question?”

“Nope,” I kicked the Hood member who tried to get the drop on me and created a small layer of armour over my skin using Starlight. Powerful enough that it should be able to stop the bullets but it was a little obvious when it was active as it made my skin look like it was sparkling.

“Why is an undocumented individual like you even here?” The lady sounded a little pissed. I guess they really don’t like unexpected variables.

Asking even though I already said no.

“To kill you of course!” [Flame Barrage] Hundreds of small sparks appeared and flew towards the lady. “But if you want the actual answer, then it's ‘cause you attacked my home.”

“Hmm, I guess that makes sense. We were just unlucky that you were already within the barrier.”

“Pretty much.” 

One of the Hood members got behind me and threw a punch to my side. I ignored her as I fired a [Fire Arrow] into the annoying lady.

“Got you!” The fist smashed into my hip, then fire burst out covering the low-armoured individual. I reactively use [Incinerate] whenever I felt contact with my skin in close-quarters combat.

I [Quiet Step] to left and fired multiple [Star Arrows] across the rooftops, dispersing the three remaining. Jumping back a couple of metres I fired multiple fire skills at the nearest Hood member. Summing arrows, balls and small specks of fire, all flew towards their targets. 

Then suddenly, a sharp object pressed and pushed its way into my back. As it pierced into my skin, I used [Burst] and [Quiet Step] to move enough to avoid damage to my vitals.

“Wow!” The annoying lady exclaimed, “You don’t even have a skill to enhance your reflexes, but you managed to survive that.”

A black spike was stuck in my chest, and I could feel it eating away at the surrounding area.

What the fuck was that?! I was paying attention, but where did that come from?

A small pistol had appeared in the insect bastard behind me.

Items… the most dangerous part when dealing with human enemies.

“One-time use I take it?” There were multiple points where I was more open to a surprise attack and the fact they didn’t spam such a deadly weapon 

“Smart,” The annoying lady said.

Good, she’s arrogant enough to say useful information. If she isn’t lying… I play it safe.

I ripped the spike out of my chest and burnt the wound shut. 

Suddenly their suits under the hoots began to glow.

““Charge complete”” the two normal members announced. And they started moving at twice the speed. Damn technology!

I dodge their attacks, as they dash to and from, slashing at me with their daggers. With the occasional gunfire as well and the supporting fire from the annoying bitch.

Fear did take a rest within me. Knowing they had a weapon like that up their sleeve. Good chance they had another. They are known for stealing dangerous weapons. Ha, keeping them safe. Just want to use them for yourself, you bastards.

“[Fire Arrow]” [Starlight Wave]. I summoned six arrows and fired two at each target, then a disc of starlight spread out, aimed at the boss lady. I was trying to keep my distance, but they were fast enough to dodge my attack when I was this far away.

Simultaneously a faint and moment for reflection. My head fell down and I said to myself “What am I doing?” 

“Getting yourself killed th–” one of the insects jumped towards me and said something unimportant, so I [Incinerate] them away.

“Idiot,” the lady mumbled.

Fear was always a good motivator for me. I hated death, and I wouldn’t allow anything to kill me.

My sister was in danger, potentially already dead.

My sworn enemies were standing in front of me.

Why am I holding back? Cause I’m scared to be caged? Fuck that!

I activated my first dangerous skill, “[Primal Guardian Lord].”

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